Chapter 132: Golden Photography

Chapter 132: The Golden Cinematographer

Who ever said that attending this film festival doesn’t require spending money? It’s just that the players here prefer a more artistic approach; it doesn’t seem dirty if it’s not done behind the scenes.

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” had entered the main competition, instantly attracting countless international film distributors. Compared to other films in the competition, its commercial value stood out distinctly.

No film distributor ever wanted to miss out on profit.

Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er had roamed all over Cannes, enjoying the leisure of the beach and the entertainment it offered, yet they were still busy promoting the film.

The film’s entry into the competition had sparked tremendous attention. The trailer alone had piqued the interest of many. With its rich Eastern aesthetic, stunning landscapes, and uniquely choreographed fight scenes, it captivated audiences.

The film was under the spotlight, and French media showed great interest in its young director, especially upon learning he spoke fluent French, which earned him even more favor.

The premiere drew a large crowd, all eager to witness Chinese martial arts firsthand.

The theater was packed with people of every hue—tourists, film professionals, distributors from around the world, as well as beautiful women and handsome men, not to mention the media reporters.

As the film began, naturally, the logo of Xinle Films’ “couple” appeared.

Even before the opening credits, the audience was drawn in by a melancholy and profound piece of music that evoked a sense of quietude.

The film showcased architecture rich with Eastern character, waterside homes, and bustling crowds, all imbued with the atmosphere of the era. Even the long smoking pipe wielded by a minor character at the start was carefully designed.

The dialogue between Li Mubai and Yu Xiulian was laden with philosophy. The mutual feelings conveyed through their gazes spoke volumes without words.

Though the film was in Mandarin with subtitles, everyone could understand that the opening scene portrayed Li Mubai’s withdrawal from the martial world and his surrender of the Green Destiny sword. Yet no one anticipated that the plot would revolve around this very sword.

Yu Xiulian’s escort mission to the capital, though briefly captured, left the audience marveling at the grandeur of ancient China’s capital.

Through the conversation between Yu Xiulian and Prince Bayar, the audience soon understood the tangled romantic ties between Yu Xiulian and Li Mubai.

They admired each other, yet a man stood between them—Yu Xiulian’s fiancé and Li Mubai’s sworn brother.

The dialogue between Yu Xiulian and Jade Fox introduced the theme of the “martial world.”

Not long into the film, the audience was treated to a small climax. Jade Fox’s nighttime theft of the sword and the ensuing chase and fight between her and Yu Xiulian under the night sky were absolutely breathtaking.

Zhang Le didn’t glance back at the audience’s expressions but occasionally caught gasps of amazement. One could imagine the immense impact of that scene on them.

The brilliance of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” lay not only in its exquisite visuals but also in its outstanding action choreography, which greatly contributed to its international box office success.

Of course, film critics saw beyond the surface. They focused on the film’s cultural reflections.

Though a traditional martial arts film set in ancient times, it reinterpreted Chinese classical aesthetics and emotional philosophies from a fresh, modern perspective. From the standpoint of cinematic language—cinematography, art design, action choreography, sound recording, music—all audiovisual elements conveyed the film’s profound style and its homage to and love for Chinese classical culture.

Among the hundred classic films of the previous world, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” ranked exceptionally high, enjoying stellar reputations both domestically and abroad. Zhang Le did not believe his own work was inferior to the original; this confidence was why he dared to enter the film in competition.

The fight scenes extended beyond the nighttime chase between Jade Fox and Yu Xiulian. The pursuit and bamboo forest duel between Li Mubai and Jade Fox were equally thrilling, with even more stunning scenery.

The premiere of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” was undoubtedly a success. Major media outlets gave glowing reviews. The staff at the film pavilion quickly sprang into action.

Entering the competition attracted a swarm of foreign distributors. For Zhang Le, this Cannes trip was already a triumph. Although the film’s budget was substantial, Zhang Le never once worried about recouping the costs. Perhaps this Cannes venture would cover them.

He held no grand hopes for the European and American box office; achieving a good price was enough. Although the film entered the competition, many distributors remained cautious, waiting to see if it would win awards.

Many Chinese-language films participated, but “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” was the only one selected for the main competition. Naturally, it garnered more attention at home.

The tone of domestic media was gradually shifting, and the film was becoming well known among fans. Moreover, the film had been highly anticipated, and now with the excellent buzz from Cannes, expectations soared even higher.

Zhang Le was more inclined toward commercial films, a fact he openly admitted. Yet, entering the Cannes main competition and being hyped by domestic media, with countless people watching and waiting, made him a little nervous.

However, walking the red carpet, Zhang Le’s nerves translated into a radiant confidence. Holding hands with Yang Xin’er, they smiled and waved to the media with natural ease. Many foreign outlets had already learned that this pair, who portrayed lovers in the film, were a couple in real life.

What intrigued many media even more was that the film’s young director also played a supporting role, while one of the lead actresses was the film’s producer.

On this Cannes red carpet, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er didn’t wear matching outfits. Yang Xin’er donned a gown reminiscent of a qipao, while Zhang Le wore a Zhongshan suit. Together, they exuded a distinctly Chinese flavor.

Yet, despite this, many domestic media still felt their outfits gave off a couple’s vibe.

After the red carpet, under the guidance of staff, the “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” crew took their seats on the far left side of the award hall at the Palais des Festivals.

“Teacher Bao looks a bit nervous, huh?” Zhang Le smiled and said to Bao Zhen behind him. “With all the international cinematography awards you’ve won, this one should be easy, right?”

“I’ve never won here before. Who would ever get tired of winning awards?” Bao Zhen replied with a smile, showing no sign of evading his own nerves.

The original version had won the Oscar for Best Cinematography, but whether Bao Zhen could win the Palme d’Or for Best Cinematographer at Cannes remained uncertain.

Being nominated was already a pleasant surprise.

What Zhang Le and the others didn’t expect was an even greater surprise: Bao Zhen of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” won the Cannes Golden Camera award.

The presenter was French and spoke in French. Naturally, Zhang Le understood and was the first to realize it was Bao who’d won.